Virgin’s adults-only cruise ship to be called Scarlet Lady

The 2,700-passenger Scarlet Lady, which is only for passengers 18 and up, will begin sailing to the Caribbean from PortMiami in 2020.

Photograph By
Virgin Voyages, TNS

Virgin’s highly anticipated adults-only cruise ship will be named the Scarlet Lady.

The cruise line recently announced its first vessel’s name — a homage to sister company Virgin Atlantic’s earliest planes — and more details of the ship’s environmentally focused vision and public spaces, including an outdoor gym area.

Virgin, like some other cruise lines, will aim to eliminate plastic straws and other single-use plastics used by guests. Bottled water, condiment packages, shopping bags, food packaging, stirrers and takeaway coffee and tea cups will also get the axe.

It also is focusing on opportunities for women in jobs that historically have been dominated by men.

The line also revealed some of the spaces for active travellers as part of the line’s “Vitamin Sea” directive, which focuses on health and fitness. The new details follow the May release of images of some public spaces, including lounging areas and a laboratory-inspired restaurant.

The ship will include a Crow’s Nest, a secluded sundeck with 360-degree views for sunrise and sunset yoga classes, and the Runway, a Virgin-red running track.

Both areas will be connected to the Athletic Club, an “adult-play” area located at the top of the vessel whose centrepiece is a red-and-white semicircular lounger, the largest daybed at sea. The area will also include an outdoor training zone with a boxing ring, and strength and gymnastics equipment reminiscent of 1920s New York sports clubs, Virgin said. There will be oversized gaming for adults, cabanas and a bar. The B-Complex gym will include strength, spin yoga and cardio equipment.

For those worried the vessel would be all loungers and no pool, as initial renderings of the outdoor spaces indicated, Virgin said the ship will have a small “well-being pool,” set next to Venice Beach-like equipment and fitness apparatus. In renderings, the pool sits under a circular opening in the deck above.

The vessel will have a spa, called Redemption, on the fifth floor. It is inspired by an underwater cave, with a hydrotherapy pool, mud room, salt room, cold plunge pools, quartz beds, and spa treatments. At night, the spa will host spa parties in its thermal suite. Other additions include a standalone blow dry bar called the Dry Dock salon and a Stubble & Groom barbershop that includes a pedicure spa for men.

The 2,700-passenger Scarlet Lady, which is only for passengers 18 and up, will begin sailing to the Caribbean from PortMiami in 2020. A second ship is scheduled for delivery in 2021.

Virgin also announced plans to launch the Scarlet Squad program, which will recruit, support and mentor female crew members and grow their access to leadership roles in the marine, technical and hotel management sectors.

“Across the maritime industry, we can do better in onboard recruiting and leadership representation for women,” Tom McAlpin, president and CEO of Virgin Voyages said in a statement. “I want all future crew to know that Virgin Voyages will create an onboard environment that is fair, inclusive and where everyone has an opportunity to reach their full potential.”

Virgin’s policy regarding single-use plastics is similar to one announced this year by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, which banned plastic straws on its three cruise lines: Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.